Introduction
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a common fertility treatment approach. IVF is a fertility procedure whereby the physician removes eggs from the ovaries, fertilize them in a laboratory, and transfer the embryo into the female’s uterus once they have matured. In Vitro translates to ‘in glass’ referring to the Petri dishes used to store and fertilize the eggs in the laboratory. IVF is a form of biotechnology that has enabled women who cannot conceive naturally to have babies. The first IVF procedure was done in 1978 by Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Dr. Robert Edwards in London; thus the birth of Louise Brown (the first test tube baby) (Malina & Pooley, 2017). IVF is now responsible for the births of many babies.
IVF as Biotechnology
IVF is part of biotechnology. Biotechnology is the application of biological processes, organism, or systems to manufacture products that improve the quality of human life. According to Biotechnology Innovation Organization (2017), simple forms of biotechnology are experienced on a daily basis, for example, example medical diagnostic tests and treatment for cancer, diabetes, arthritis among other conditions. In recent years, biotechnology has become more complicated, hence the existence of IVF, cloning and gene therapy. IVF qualifies as biotechnology because physicians modify the biological process by retrieving eggs from a woman who cannot get pregnant naturally. IVF started as a revolutionary animal biotechnology procedure. Farmers now use IVF technology to increase production of animal offspring.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
How the Process is performed
IVF process is made up of the following essential steps: ovulation induction, egg retrieval, in vitro maturation, fertilization, and implantation of the seven days embryo (Araki & Ishii, 2014). Ovulation induction is the process whereby a fertility specialist monitors the ovaries and the timing of egg release. The fertility specialist has to ensure that the ovaries are producing eggs and that the hormone levels are on point. Fertility specialists often prescribe fertility medicine or hormones to stimulate the production of more eggs.
The second step is egg retrieval. Physicians retrieve eggs using a thin needle. After the retrieval, the physician separates the oocyte from the follicular fluid, and then places the egg in a culture dish with nutrient media before transferring it into the incubator. In the third step, the oocytes are incubated to make them mature. The metabolic and hormonal requirements are monitored to improve the rate of maturation.
The next step is the fertilization of the eggs. Once the sperm sample has been secured, the physician combines the most active sperm sample with the eggs in an incubator. The combination is monitored for seven days until a healthy embryo develops (Learn Genetics, n.d). Lastly, the embryo is transferred and implanted. The healthiest embryos are transferred into the vagina using a speculum containing a small tube placed through the cervix into the uterine cavity. Once the IVF process is complete, one is advised to rest for approximately 24 hours.
Uses of the Application
IVF is a practical form of biotechnology that is applicable in different situations. The primary application of IVF is the treatment of infertility. Couples who cannot have children naturally often resort to IVF. IVF is also used in surrogacy; some women cannot produce eggs; hence, IVF does not work for them, and in such cases, they resort to surrogacy or adaption. IVF is also used in livestock improvement to improve the animal breed. Gene transfer and maintenance of genetic pool also use IVF. Lastly, IVF is used to preserve endangered animal species.
Benefits, Drawbacks, and Risks
The applications of IVF are also the benefits of IVF. IVF enables couples with infertility issues to conceive, as IVF is associated with higher success rate. When a woman cannot carry a child, she can use a surrogate to carry the baby to full term. IVF has reduced the number of miscarriages due to genetic anomalies, and yet it decreases the chances of transferring genetic disorder to the child (Sadava et al., 2010).
The two significant drawbacks for IVF is that it is costly and it is not always successful. IVF process is costly hence, many women who cannot get pregnant naturally cannot afford it. It is even more challenging when the IVF process is not successful after the patient has spent a lot of money in the IVF process. Lastly, a significant risk associated with IVF is the risk of multiple gestations. IVF can result in multiple pregnancies leading to low birth weight and premature deliveries.
Ethical Concerns
IVF is an issue of ethical discussion. The nature of IVF means that medical professions will play an active role in the process unlike in In Vivo fertilization. There is a concern regarding discarding of many embryos as only one is used in the fertilization process. IVF also gives room for sex selection and genetic selection, hence the worry that many people will resort to IVF to get the desired babies. Lastly, IVF is an expensive procedure, and there are genuine concerns that the medical professionals are not genuinely interested in helping couples with fertility issues, rather they want to get rich
References
Araki, M., & Ishii, T. (2014). International regulatory landscape and integration of corrective genome editing into in vitro fertilization. Reproductive biology and endocrinology , 12 (1), 108.
Biotechnology Innovation Organization. (2017). Biotechnology solutions for everyday life. Retrieved from https://www.bio.org/articles/biotechnology-solutions-everyday-life
Learn.Genetics. (n.d.). Basic genetics. Retrieved from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/
Malina, Alicja, and Julie Ann Pooley. "Psychological consequences of IVF fertilization–Review of research." Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine 24.4 (2017): 554-558.
Sadava, et al. (2010). Mieosis: Introduction. In, Life: The science of biology (9th ed.). Retrieved from http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/meiosis.html
